Name: Memorial Gathering for Gerald "Jerry, Coach" Bowe
Start: 2016-01-14T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-01-15T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral and Cremation South Shore Chapel - South Milwauk

Bowe, Gerald "Jerry, Coach" Died peacefully on December 31st, 2015, surrounded by his family. Jerry was married to his college sweetheart, LaDonna Casey, for 58 years. Jerry is survived by his wife and four daughters: Betsy (Jeff) Slattery, Dyan (Michael) Hoffman, Kelly (Bill) Bowe-Frederick and Debby (Dale) Wielgus. Jerry and Casey have 10 grandchildren: Jerry (Ana), Paul and Max (Jennette) Wasikowski; Abigail Bowe; Jack, Steve and Kailee Frederick; Dana, Joe and Amy Wielgus, as well as great granddaughter, Adelaide Wasikowski. Jerry is further survived by his sisters, Vivian Littman, Margaret Bonvincini, Kathleen Hammond and brothers James, Tom, Daniel and Patrick and brother in-law, Lloyd Casey as well as many nieces and nephews. Jerry is preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Bowe and brothers, Ervin and Vincent Bowe. After serving in the US Airforce, Jerry earned his teaching degree from UW Whitewater where he played football. He taught English and coached football, basketball and track at East Troy and West Allis Central High Schools. In 1963, he landed his dream job teaching and coaching at his Alma Mater Cudahy High School. He retired in 1992 after 23 years of service to the community he loved. Coach Bowe was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Along with his sparkling blue eyes, Jerry will be remembered for his ability to make a connection with everyone he met. He and Casey enjoyed vacations, cards and dinner parties with their life-long friends. He enjoyed conversations at his pool, playing golf in the Cudahy League and the football season with the Cudahy Boys' Club. Jerry loved winters in Arizona with his brother- in-law Lloyd and golfing with his many Wisconsin friends. He will be greatly missed at Sunday coffee with his siblings and their families. The family would like to thank VITAS Ruth's House hospice for their wonderful care and compassion. Memorial Gathering will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday, January 14 from 4-7PM followed by an Eulogy Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH (800 Marquette Ave., So. Milwaukee) on Friday, Jan. 15 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cudahy-St. Francis Interfaith, Paxton Andrews Foundation which helps families in need at Children's Hospital.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jan. 6, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Bowe

Sponsored by Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral and Cremation South Shore Chapel - South Milwauk.

32 Entries

Clara Probst

December 31, 2022

So many great memories of Jerry and Casey in shullsburg Benton and Cudahay Great times with "our group"He will never be forgotten

Mario DeLuca

January 15, 2016

My condolences to the Bowe family.

Coach Bowe truly exemplified the phrase "Coach, Teacher, and Mentor!"

It was a honor to have played for him and have him as a teacher and friend

Mario DeLuca (83)

January 13, 2016

It was with great sadness to hear the news about Coach Bowe. My condolences to Coach Bowe's family. I had the honor to play for Coach Bowe when he first started coaching at Cudahy. I look back at those years and I see now they we played a lot better then the talent we had on the field and it was mostly due to Coach Bowe. I still remember many of his speeches before the game and at halftime. They really motivated us to be better then we were. He made us proud to be from Cudahy.

Richard Lorenzini
Class of 1972 and Cudahy Packer 69 to 71

Rose Antoni

January 13, 2016

Dear Deb and family,

Although we never got to meet your dad, we know he was a truly amazing man. You have always said the nicest things about him and we know that he was loved by many.

Being a teacher and a coach has connected him with a whole group of kids, which I am sure have loved him over the years.

Losing someone at any time is rough. But losing someone right around the holidays seems even tougher. I lost my dad before Christmas over 10 years ago. Just remember your dad may not be here in body, but he will be forever in your hearts. Time does heal and memories are there for a life time.

Celebrate him knowing that he will be taken care of by our Heavenly Father. He will be comforted and wait until someone else joins him

If he likes beer and manhattans have him look for my dad, Bob.

Find comfort that he is at peace.

All our love,

Rose Antoni and Mark Cizek

Barbara Urick-Bua

January 13, 2016

Although I never had the pleasure of having Jerry for an instructor, we shared a common ground primarily as families within the Cudahy High School Faculty Team. My mother taught during many of the same years.

I recall walking down an empty hallway with Jerry discussing my own father's illness. His empathy and sincerity truly warmed my heart. The conversation resonates on occasion and brings back a real sense of human kindness that he seemed to share so effortlessly.

Knowing how badly he will be missed by all family members and cherished friends, may the good times and fond memories keep you strong during this very difficult time.

Class of '78.

Jim Keller

January 11, 2016

Memory1: About 15years ago I stopped in a small town of 50 people at the only business. A bar to get an update on the Packer game. Green Bay. Wearing my Packer hat two young men asked where I was from, Cudahy I said and the first words out of one of the boys was do you know Jerry Bowe? Yes I said, knew the family all my life. In an instant he whipped out his cell phone, hit speed dial and walla on the other end was Jerry. We laughed. Turns out he was the son of Jerry's roommate at Whitewater. Shows you how he brought people together no matter where or how isolated Same thing happened at The Pearl Harbor Memorial. RIP Hope to see you later.

Dawn Kotecki

January 11, 2016

I never had Mr. Bowe for a teacher at CHS, but I graduated with Debby. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bowe family during this time. May God bless all of you and keep you in His comfort and care.
Dawn Kotecki Class of '81

Jeffrey Fojtik

January 11, 2016

Jerry Bowe was absolutely, unequivocally a Legend and a great man. He was Cudahy Football. Everyone around the state knew about Cudahy Football because of Jerry. After he retired, he and Casey supported their Grandson's, and unlike some former coaches, never got in their way. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to watch games with him. His sense of humor was off the charts! No one was funnier than Coach Bowe. He also turned boys into men. Jerry was one of a kind. He will be missed. And there are no better families than the Bowe's and Wasikowski's.

Jim Keller

January 11, 2016

Jerry, Will always remember you and your whole family in Cudahy growing up as youngsters. Thanks for the phone conversations over the past 50 years. My kind of guy!! God Bless. Jim Keller

January 11, 2016

Jerry,

You were a great coach and an even greater man. I always felt better after talking to you. You are the epitome of what a Hall of Famer is.
Rest in Peace,
Dan Brunner
WFCA

Rich & Clara Probst

January 10, 2016

Will always remember the great times in Shullsburg & Benton. The late night discussions solving the world problems & especially the friendships we all shared. He was a great guy

Mark Jaeger

January 9, 2016

Coach you will be missed you taught me more than football you taught me how to be a good person

Mark Jaeger (83)

Jeannene Fojtik

January 8, 2016

Prayers for comfort to coach Bowe's family. His legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of so many who have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Bowe. Fly High & Shine Bright Coach!
Blessing from myself, and my 4 sons who all played football at Cudahy.

John F

January 8, 2016

Prayers, condolences and sympathy for Coach Bowe and family.
I enjoyed "coach" as a teacher, as a man and as a basketball ref. He officiated a number of our JV B-Ball games at Cudahy. He was always trying to get me to come out for football as a wide-receiver. "You have great hands" he would always tell me. That never came to be but I appreciated the compliment and his always positive "can-do" attitude. I would run into him years later when his grandson Jack and my son Jon played baseball together at New Berlin Eisenhower. It had been 30+ years. - He looked great and still had that twinkle in his eye. Rest in peace coach. JF Class of '71

Shawn McKendry

January 8, 2016

Hall of Fame Coach
Hall of Fame Teacher
Hall of Fame Man
Coach, you will be fondly remembered, truly honored and sorely missed. GOD BLESS !!!

Laurie Ann

January 8, 2016

Mr. Bowe was my English teacher in high school, and his passion for teaching / coaching, and being a good respectful and positive person / citizen was evident in everything he did. He inspired and encouraged others to not only be good, but to achieve greatness. I feel blessed and am grateful to have had the opportunity to have been one of his students!! My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family. As you grieve this tremendous loss, may your faces beam with pride that he inspired and touched so many lives during his time.

Neil Woida, CHS '79

January 8, 2016

God Bless You, Coach.
Condolences to the Bowe Family.

January 7, 2016

My wife - Anne - and I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of "Coach" Jerry Bowe.

My God comfort all of you during this challenging time with fond memories and the joy of his life.

Steve Schmadl
Cudahy High School (Packers) Class of 1991

Lisa Kline-Weyers

January 7, 2016

My deepest and most sincere condolences! May God bring you all peace and comfort through the memories and legacy of this great man!!!! My prayers and love are with you all!

Julane Scheel

January 7, 2016

I had coach Bowen as my English teacher in East Troy and my husband was on his football team. When he came to a football reunion a few years back we had such a good time with him reminiscing about those days. He was a special man and left a legacy that will always be remembered. Blessings to his family

Dale Feuling

January 7, 2016

What a "Class Act",so grateful to have been able to play for him!!! Nothing but great memories!!! Deepest sympathy to the family from myself, wife Jacquie, my brothers(Jerry,Allen,and Dan),and sister Michelle that were all influenced- he will be missed!!!

Laura Dahma

January 7, 2016

As a childhood friend of Betsy's I remember Mr. Bowe as being a very caring and loving father to her and her sisters. I was very saddened to hear of their loss. My deepest sympathies to Betsy and her family.

Jacqueline W Kubisz

January 7, 2016

My deepest condolences to the entire Bowe Family.

Andrew Kunstman

January 7, 2016

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Bowe, I never had him as a coach or teacher but was a classmate of Kelly and I just want the entire family to know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.May God comfort you in your hour of need.

January 6, 2016

What a special teacher. I married Tom Miller who played for Coach Bowe at WA Central & went onto play at Dartmouth. Thoughts & prayers from 2 of many students touched by Coach Bowe. Peggy & Tom Miller class of 66

Patrick Kober

January 6, 2016

Coach Bowe was one of the good guys. He will truly be missed.

Vince Toman

January 6, 2016

Coach Bowe meant a lot to me and I have thought of him often over the years. He was my coach in '65 & 66 at west Allis Central. I was one of his QB's during that time. He probably saved my life by not playing me during the 66 season as I lost my spleen during the 65 season and he saw the long term implications.
He was also my English teacher and inspired me to go into teaching. More than once I found myself trying to imitate his facial expressions or humor into my daily lessons.
Although I haven't been in contact with him over the years, he will be missed.

January 6, 2016

Our sympathies to the Bowe family.
Pat and Terry Malmberg

Jeff Wiese

January 6, 2016

A great coach and even better man. Always had a smile for me when I ran into him. Great memories growing up of the times you and your wife spent with my parents laughing. RIP Coach.

Bryan Olen

January 6, 2016

Coach Bowe was my teacher, neighbor and friend. I remember taking a part-time job in late summer with the plan to work during the school year. I knocked on Coach's door to let him know and he told me "you have your whole life to work, enjoy your senior year" advice I took and very thankful I did. My sympathies to the entire Family.
Bryan Olen
Class of 1988

Jeff Trickey

January 6, 2016

Jer is a "gift" to all lives he touched.A leader and role model to so many.Next to my father who passed very early Jer accepted my love and admiration for him by always " Being the man I thought he was!"
Love you Coach! Jeff Trickey

January 6, 2016

My mentor, my friend & inspiration. My football "Pop"! Always quoted; always remembered. A true Legend!!!

Love! Carey Venne

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